Nueva Bella Vista

The chocolatillo is a flexible fiber extracted from the plant or cane’s stem. The artisans and their husbands select the thickest and longest stems, ensuring that the plant has approximately 12 leaves as a sign that the chocolatillo is “jecho” (ripe). To guarantee the quality and durability of the fiber, artisans follow the moon cycles; they make sure to cut when the moon is waning as this can double the weave's life expectancy. 


The chocolatillo and dyes

Mujer tejiendo eperara

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Basketry and Nature 

The eperara craft is recognized as a female trade. From a very young age, we learn to weave by observing our mothers and grandmothers. It is customary for us to meet and weave in the “Big House”, where we share and learn about weaving and the others’ experiences. On one hand, this craft is an individual task, “it is a thought”; but at the same time, having the support of our family unit is important as it is our productive unit. “Crafting is a woman’s heritage, where she leaves her print on her work and her culture”. – Griselda Cuero.

Artisans

Nueva Bella Vista

Culture
Eperara Siapidaara

Artisans

Nueva Bella Vista

CultureEperara Siapidaara

Culture
Eperara Siapidaara